UAW reaches tentative deal with Ford

PENDING APPROVAL Ford said the contract, if approved by a majority of the 54,000 workers represented, will make it more competitive as it tries to hold its market share

AP , DETROIT, MICHIGAN

The company has identified only 10 of the closures. At least some of the remaining six are now slated to get new investment and avoid closure.

Going into this year's contract talks, US-based automakers said they had about a US$25-per-hour total labor cost gap, including wages and benefits, when compared with their Japanese rivals that have US factories.

The contract may face a tough ratification vote at Ford because of Chrysler's announcement less than a week after union ratification of its new contract, that it would lay off 8,500 to 10,000 workers at five North American assembly plants.

And shortly after GM's deal was ratified, that company announced it would cut shifts at three plants, affecting 1,700 jobs.